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Whether a person is hiring a personal injury attorney for representation pursuing financial compensation, the qualities of the firm is important. No person or organization wants to waste money on a firm that does not meet the minimum criteria for success. Therefore, when a prospective client is seeking representation, he or she must sort the potential of the firms by measuring the potency of their most important qualities. The following are five vital qualities to look for in a lawyer:
1. Integrity
Integrity is the number one most important quality in a lawyer. Integrity is not just one quality; it is a mixture of positive qualities. Integrity includes elements such as honesty, ethical practices and fair representation. A prospective client can get an idea of a lawyer’s integrity by reading the comments from former clients. Consumers will always enlighten other consumers as to when they should have scruples about a scandalous law firm. When considering a lawyer for representation, a consumer should weigh heavily the firm’s integrity.
2. Compassion
Compassion is another extremely important factor one should consider before hiring a lawyer. One of the components that make a case successful is the lawyer’s compassion and empathy toward his or her client. Clients need to hire attorneys who genuinely care about their well-being more than they care about earning attorney’s fees. The way to gauge a lawyer’s compassion is to speak with him or her. Claiming that one does not have a lot of money and judging the attorney’s reaction is one way to tell.
3. Dedication
The level of an attorney’s dedication to his or her client is also paramount. Attorneys who have too many cases often become confused with a new case. Additionally, some may prioritize the more expensive cases over the smaller cases. An acceptable attorney should view all cases equally and provide the highest level of dedication to each one. Lack of proper dedication leads to case losses, because the lawyer may not collect all the necessary information to move forward and win. A prospective client can find information about a lawyer’s dedication level on the website or in consumer reviews.
4. Flexible Fees
Flexible fees are important when one is seeking representation from an attorney. A firm that has the client in mind will offer special discounts so that person can receive help that he or she needs. Some firms offer free consultation, while other firms offer contingency representation. While the type of case does have a bearing on the fees, the lawyer’s fees should still be competitive in relation to other firms. Truly empathetic lawyers will arrange payment plans according to the client’s needs.
5. Tenure
Although new lawyers should not automatically go on the “no hire” list, an attorney with established tenure has a better chance of winning. When attorneys have years of experience, they learn the most effective practices within their fields. Therefore, a prospective client may choose to hire an attorney with 20 years of practice under his or her belt over an attorney with only one year of practice. Again, tenure is not the most important quality, but it is an important quality.
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Personal Capital lets you see all of your accounts in one convenient place. Sign up now for free.After considering all of the aforementioned qualities, a prospective client will be able to make a sound decision about legal representation. Selecting a well-rounded firm adds to win potential.
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